Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-16

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many parts of the world, people rely on private cars for transportation.

In what ways does reliance on private cars affect the way we live?

Do the effects tend to be positive or negative?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Many individuals depend on private vehicles for daily use in various parts of the world. I think reliance on private vehicles is important but government should give the service of public transportation .

To begin with this, mode of transportation is very necessary for life. If you have private car then it is good as you don't need to wait for someone , you have their own mode of transportation, you are not dependent on someone. For instance, in many areas where there is no public transport then it is easy for you. Many rural area like altona and steinbach ,they have a lot of opportunities of employment but many people donot take this because they do not have access to private vehicles. Secondly, If you have their own vehicles it will save your time and money. To explain it ,you do not need to wait for someone as a result it will save you time .

On other side, public transportation is also important as some people do not know how to drive cars so it is for those people. For example old people who are not aware with technology of today they do not know how to drive, public transportation is for these people.To explain this example,the survey conducted by oxford university reveals that 90% of old people in india they do not know how to drive, they rely on public buses.If there is no public transportation then it is hard for them.

In the conclusion , no doubt Private cars are necessary for people of the country as it makes their life easy, other side government should give the service of public buses as it is for those who donot know how to drive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the effects of private car reliance and providing an opinion on whether these effects are positive or negative. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention convenience and time-saving, the arguments are repetitive and lack depth. For instance, the example regarding rural employment is relevant but not fully explored. The conclusion is brief and does not fully synthesize the points made. To improve, ensure each paragraph focuses on a distinct, well-supported argument rather than repeating the same points about convenience. A more balanced exploration of the negative environmental or social impacts would also strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'To explain it' or 'To explain this example'. Some transitions are awkward, such as 'To begin with this, mode of transportation'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly with pronoun usage like 'they' referring back to different subjects. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence flows logically into the next without relying on repetitive introductory phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. You rely on basic terms like 'good', 'easy', and 'important'. There are also some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'give the service of public transportation' instead of 'provide public transport services'. While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little attempt to use less common or more sophisticated lexical items. Expanding your vocabulary to include topic-specific collocations related to urban planning and transportation would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder the flow. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'government should give'), missing articles (e.g., 'in many areas where there is no public transport'), and incorrect pronoun usage (e.g., 'If you have their own vehicles'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with spaces missing after commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to impact the overall clarity and professionalism of the writing. Focusing on basic grammatical accuracy and proofreading for small errors is essential.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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